Another script written. I’m quite far behind on reading for my training course so I’m looking forward to having a guest preacher for the last week of October. In the meantime, I’m really excited to preach the genealogy in Genesis 5.
It’s one of those autumn days where no amount of waterproof clothing can keep you from getting drenched on the walk home. 🏴
This article by Adsum Try Ravenhill is really helpful for thinking through how to speak of what is going on in the world right now.
Autumn is the best time for writing
It felt like a proper autumn day today. Cold, windy, occasionally raining heavily while the sun still shone. It was also sermon-writing day. Each week I preach, I write anywhere between 2500 and 3500 words for my script (excluding readings). Today I did over 3600 but managed to trim back a couple hundred words that were a bit less than helpful.
Writing happened in the local Wetherspoons (free refills on coffee!) and in the library. I am well and truly spent now.)
For the very first time, I have managed to get a coffee stain on one of my commentaries. I guess now I know how to tell if it’s my copy of Wenham on Genesis 1-15 or someone else.
Nothing against Lewis Capaldi but I feel like his music is a bit dramatic for a porridge oats advert…
I’m about a third of the way through this (reading for a book club with folks who have been on the same training course as me) and really enjoying it.
Crying in H Mart
Finished reading: Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner 📚
As a fan of Japanese Breakfast and as someone who has recently been going through a process of finally seeing myself as Asian American (even as I find my national identity changing further as I spend longer in the UK), there were many things here that I could remember feeling.
This book was heartbreaking but absolutely worth it. I’m so glad it was available at my library. Grief is something that necessarily comes up in ministry and it’s helpful to read about how people grieve.
Sermon prep this week
Preparing to preach Genesis 3. I’ve got a Traveler’s Notebook for initial observations, an ESV Genesis scripture journal for highlights and some structure stuff, and commentaries by Calvin, Wenham, Kidner, and a pre-published one by another pastor here in Scotland.
Eventually this all makes its way into my Obsidian vault. Then it becomes a script written using Ulysses.
It’s 1 October and I’ve ordered our Christmas pudding already.
It feels like a proper autumn evening.
Was able to have a full day off today (Wednesday mornings are usually off but the afternoon and evenings are full). Baked a loaf of fig & fennel sourdough and walked to the barbershop. 🍞
Aaaaaaaaaand I just had my first real haircut in nearly three years. ✂️
Autumn feels mean it’s time for me to switch to black and white photos.
I am not a fast runner by any metric but it feels good to finally start getting some proper distance in each week. 🏃🏃♀️🏃♂️
One of the cool things about running Christianity Explored is hearing the questions people want answered. Some questions seem simple on the surface but actually get to why there were multiple councils in the 4th and 5th centuries. Understanding Jesus is really hard.
Can confirm, after movie night with the kids, that Back To The Future holds up. 🍿 🎥
Christianity Explored starts today at Ardgowan Square. Both nervous and excited to see how it goes.
Just back from our weekly prayer meeting. Normally we look at a question from the New City Catechism but we are starting Christianity Explored this week so we’re focusing our prayer meetings on that for a few weeks. Such an encouraging time praying with God’s people.